Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 8 Hansard (26 August) . . Page.. 2368 ..

MS SHEA (continuing):

After all, the 2000 Olympics are just around the corner and the tourist potential that this will generate for the ACT must be a priority. We plan to take full advantage of the 2000 Olympics tourist visitors coming to Canberra. To do this, we must have fully developed management practices. This means training in sales skills, accounting and business management. In addition, those involved in cultural activities - dance, food, storytelling - need to sharpen their skills, to ensure that they are fully developed to the best advantage. We propose that the ACT Government find a suitable site immediately for temporary use as our cultural centre.

Secondly, continuing with the cultural centre, Chief Minister, you agreed on 23 October 1996 that we should form a community working party to develop planning and operational structures for the cultural centre. Members who attended that meeting established an interim steering committee along with terms of reference. Your staff ignored this and turned the steering committee into three committees made up mainly of departmental appointees, with a new set of terms of reference, taking away the community's right to decide how we should approach the task. This is not good enough and must be fixed. To ensure that the local indigenous community feels as if it owns this cultural centre, it is essential that you immediately fulfil your commitment at our meeting with you on 23 October 1996 and ensure that a new representative community committee replaces the committee structure set up by your staff.

As indicated earlier in this presentation, we appreciate the Government's response and apology following the stolen generations report Bringing them home. However, if there is to be a new beginning as indicated by the recent National Reconciliation Convention, then there is a requirement that the close relationship developed with our people continue and that there be mutual respect for the thoughts of Aboriginal people and their desire to reduce considerably the levels of disadvantage suffered by many Aboriginal people.

Finally, we are offering the ACT Assembly the opportunity to lead the way in indigenous affairs in our country. We propose that prior to, and for inclusion in, the next election you pass laws for permanent indigenous representation in ACT government. This would involve one permanent representative elected by all ACT indigenous people at the next ACT election. If you act now, any paperwork required can be planned and prepared to achieve this milestone.

The apology has given us satisfaction that your Government has given recognition to a dark era in our history, recognition that our histories are combined and equally important. After all, what was originally my Aboriginal history is now our history. In closing, the real work in reconciliation should commence with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in close harmony with non-Aboriginal people to achieve common goals. Thank you.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Ms Shea, for your remarks.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .